Special Event Recycling Program
About the Program
Special events generate a significant amount of waste within a short timeframe. Charleston County Government's Environmental Management Department has designed a program to effectively implement recycling at your event.
Charleston County offers the use of ClearStream recycling bins for the collection of recyclables and food waste at special events. The County will loan the bins to community groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses and citizens who plan to collect recyclables and food waste generated at events held within Charleston County.
The Special Event Recycling Program provides equipment for onsite collection of materials, but does not include the removal of materials after an event for processing. There is no charge to use the equipment, but there is a requirement that the equipment be returned in the same condition (refundable deposit details listed below).
Planning Ahead
The program ensures that waste generated during your event will be diverted from the Bees Ferry Landfill and will be recycled. The number of attendees at an event affects the amount of waste generated. The table below is a helpful guide that can be used to estimate the number of special event bins you will need to collect recyclable materials.
To ensure bins are available for your event, contact Charleston County's Environmental Management Department at (843) 720-7111 at least 30 days prior to the event to reserve your bins. Up to 15 bins are available at any given time.
About the Equipment
Charleston County's special event bins are highly visible, making them ideal for the proper collection of recyclable materials. Each bin consists of:
- Steel folding frame and lid
- Decal on lid to identify what items can be recycled
- 1-5 clear plastic or compostable bags (as needed)
Bin lids with the following decals are available:
- Plastic Bottles & Aluminum Cans
- Paper Only
- Compostables (such as food waste)
- Trash
NOTE: To protect the health and safety of our drivers, Charleston County Environmental Management will be collecting material contained inside your recycling cart ONLY. Do not leave material outside of your cart. Please flatten all cardboard boxes and cut them to size, if necessary. Overflow recyclable material may be dropped off at any one of Charleston County’s many dropsite locations.
Acceptable Materials
Recyclables
Containers
- Plastic bottles and containers,
- Aluminum cans,
- Glass bottles (all colors),
All Paper
- Cardboard,
- Paperboard (i.e. soda boxes),
- Mixed paper such as newspapers, magazines and office paper
Compostables
Food Waste
- Food scraps,
- Compostable serving ware,
- Food-soiled paper such as paper plates and napkins
Food Waste Collection For Composting
Charleston County's Environmental Management Department offers special event bins for collecting organic materials that can be turned into compost. These bins are green and are labeled "compostables."
For smaller events generating a limited amount of food waste, the County encourages self-hauling of the material from the event site to the Bees Ferry Compost Facility. For larger events, you can contact a private food waste hauler to transport your organic material.
Who Collects Food Waste?
Charleston County Government does not collect food waste but has partnered with the following food waste collection haulers. If you intend to collect food waste at your event, contact Charleston County's Environmental Management Department at least two months prior to the event date to coordinate a successful plan to keep the waste out of the landfill and put to good use as compost.
For fees and service options, you should contact each hauler directly:
Carolina Waste Services
Food Waste Disposal
Republic Services
Smart Recycling
Post-Event Collection
Bagged recyclable material, excluding food waste, may be dropped off at any Charleston County recycling center.
Terms & Conditions
Event bins should be picked up at least 24 hours prior to the event and returned no later than one business day following the event.
Bins can be picked up and returned at:
Charleston County Environmental Management
Recycle Center
A refundable deposit is required in the following amounts:
- 1-5 bins: $100
- 6-9 bins: $200
- 10-15 bins: $300
- The cash or check deposit is due when the bins are picked up. Make checks payable to: Charleston County Treasurer.
- Charleston County reserves the right to keep all or a portion of the deposit if the bins are not returned within two business days following your event.
- Charleston County reserves the right to keep all or a portion of the deposit if the bins are not returned in the same condition in which they were received (clean and undamaged). Containers must be cleaned before they are returned.
Tips For Success
- Convenience - To encourage event guests to recycle, place recycling bins next to garbage cans. To help prevent special event bins from overflowing, consider the flow of traffic when determining where to place bins.
- Communication - Station volunteers where the special event bins are located to assist attendees with separating items into the right container.
- Consistency - Create consistent educational signage and post it in appropriate areas throughout the event. Signage that includes photos of the actual materials used at the event typically encourage greater recycling participation.
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